Four sympatric species of Sarcophaga, viz S. cruentata Meigen, S. exuberans Pandelle, S. nodosa Engel and S. tibialis Macquart, which occur in the Transvaal, South Africa, showed oviparity under optimum laboratory breeding conditions. Details of the life cycle duration under these conditions are discussed. Rearing and colonizing methods were developed. Scanning electron microscopy of third instar larvae provided useful data in distinguishing between the four species. The characters which were examined were the spinulation of the body segments and the rim surrounding the spiracular atrium of the posterior spiracles, the anterior spiracles and the spiracular hairs of the posterior spiracles.

Collections of Afrotropical Sarcophagidae were made at a single locality. Seventeen species in two genera were found: Heteronychia with two species, and Sarcophaga with fifteen species. All male flies were identified, together with a few females, wherever possible. The number of male flies collected exceeded that of females. A small proportion of females captured were gravid.

Community-based interventions that support the parent-infant dyad present an ideal opportunity to help foster secure attachment relationships. This study set out to investigate a parent-infant intervention that was implemented in a peri-urban township in South Africa. The aim of the research was to understand caregivers' experience of this intervention and shed light on why some caregivers make optimal use of this intervention whereas others do not. Data for this study were collected by holding a focus group with 11 caregivers, who were selected using purposive sampling. The discussion that took place in the group was video-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis of this data indicates that caregivers are very receptive to the intervention, which they see in the role of "grandmother." Yet, their socially and economically weak position hinders them from making full use of the intervention. Ideally, they want professionals to reach out to them. This research highlights how important it is for early parent-infant interventions to move beyond the consulting room and to meet caregivers on their terms.